Shutdown Corner

There's much of America that loves kicking the Patriots when they're down, and if the Pats kick back, well, so much the better.

Several days after the AFC championship, talk continues to center on whether New England quarterback Tom Brady intentionally tried to kick Baltimore safety Ed Reed while scrambling late in the first half. Was it a slide gone wrong? An attempt to injure? Competition? Poor sportsmanship? You can make a case in every direction.

Reed himself has his own thoughts. Speaking to WJZ-FM, he said, "Leg is feeling all right. A little sore right now. A little slide kick, you know what I'm saying. But it's a tough spot the quarterback's in. You know, I understand Brady's point. Him protecting himself. I know he's a great player. I respect Brady and his game for all it stands for, and I know he's not a dirty player. And emotions get going in the game."

As NFL.com reported, he continued: "I told him ... you know, we talked. We talked actually not too long ago, we talked on the phone. He actually reached out to me, texted me. I tried to text him back, but the message exploded after 12 seconds, so I had to call him ... and he's just apologized and what not. But I told him, 'You know, it's good, man.' "

The Ravens' Bernard Pollard has said that the NFL should give Brady the same treatment it gives defensive players who appear to be intentionally attempting to harm opponents, and indeed, the AP reported Tuesday that the NFL is taking a closer look at the slide. "Any play of that nature is routinely reviewed," NFL spokesman Greg Aiello told the AP.